Town Meeting September 5th 1855
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Vienna holden on the fifth day of Sept one thousand eight hundred fifty five convened at the dwelling house of Nathaniel Graves, in said town, the following votes were pafsed and businefs was transacted.
1st Nathaniel Graves was chosen Moderator to preside over the meeting.
2nd Voted to adjourn to the Town House
A procefsion was formed under the direction of Nathaniel Graves Esq, Marshal of the day and accompanied by Martial music marched to the Town House.
The Meeting was called to order by the Moderator and the deed of gift from the donor was read together with the following letter, also an addrefs was delivered by Nathaniel Graves Esq. Moderator of the Meeting as follows.
5th Voted to accept of the deed unanimously Fellow Townsmen ------ I congratulate you upon the occasion which has called us together. An occasion which, in some respects, opens a new era in the history of our town. In the erection of this house, the place of businefs for the inhabitants, in a corporate capacity, has become established, and a place of resort provided without cost to the town, ---not on account of any pecuniary embarrisment of the inhabitants of Vienna, but out of respect and regard by one of our native sons for the town of his nativity, --- one who has ever felt and still feels, a lively interest in its affairs.
The donation is a liberal one, freely made, in a Spirit of kindnefs and respect. And to-day we assemble to reciprocate those feelings of kindnefs and to exprefs our thanks to the donor. We are disappointed in not meeting Mr. Whittier. We are sorry his businefs affairs will not allow of his being present with us. With pleasure would we have extended to him our congratulations and our thanks, and received from him personally the deed which conveys to us so liberal a donation.
I not only congratulate you on the occasion which has called us together, but also on our prosperity as a town. Fifty-three years have pafsed since the passage of the act of incorporation. Dureing that time our progrefs has been onward, our improvements gradual. Though noticed, still, through perseverance and industry, aided by the blessing of hearin, we enjoy a competency which calls for grattitude to Him from whom we receive all blessings.
You have now, in a legal capacity, accepted of the donation. This house has become the property of the town. To us and our succefsors has it been given. --
May this hall be consecrated to Freedoms cause, to our free, our civil, and our religious institutions, and to Him from whom we receive every gift. Within these walls may we assemble in unity and a Spirit of kindnefs and forbearance in the transaction of our town affairs.
Here may we ever be true to those priviledges guaranteed to us by the Constitutions of our State and County, and here may the priviledges of the ballot box ever be held Sacred, and ever be duly appreciated by us, and those who may succeed us.
I see before me the father of the donor, Nathaniel Whittier, Esq, upon whom has devolved the care and superintendency of erecting this building. Sir, I have known your cares, your anxieties, and your labours, and in behalf of your fellow townsmen I thank you. Those silvered lock and furrowed cheeks denote lifes decline. With you, sir, may that decline be calm and peacefull, in the bosom of your family, and, as you approach the end of life's journey, may those anticipations and joys which await the righteous in a future world, be yours richly to enjoy.
Fellow townsmen, we owe a debt of gratitude to the donor, and I doubt not you will adopt suitable measures for extending to him and his family a proper exprefsion of your thanks and respects for the very liberal donation we now receive at his hands. And May all our deliberations here be such as to meet the approbation of Him who doeth all things well.
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The meeting was addrefsed by Doctor Holmes, and Prescott of Winthrop, Rev. J. Edgecomb of Vienna at the close of the remarks from the above the following resolves were pafsed.
Resolved, that in consideration of the disinterested liberality manifested towards the citizens of this town, by Joseph M. Whittier, of Boston , Mafs, in presenting the inhabitants with a Townhouse, which probably is not surpafsed in style of architecture or beauty of finish by any other building for like purposes in the State. That as citizens and legal voters of the Town of Vienna, we tender him our gratefull acknowledgments and sincere thanks for the liberal donation he has bestowed upon us, with our united wishes for his present good and future usefullnefs..
Resolved, that we exprefs our thanks to the gentlemen from abroad, together with those at home who have entertained us by their very interesting, instructive and able remarks on the present occasion that they may return in safety to their families and friends with the full assureance that they have our best wishes for their present good, and future welfare.
Resolved, that the inhabitants of Vienna and vicinity tender to Mifses Sanders & William H. Morrill their thanks and approbation for the sumptuous and refreshing dinner which they so amply and elegantly provided.
Thomas C. Norris, Chairman of Committee
(Town Clerk Records CD 1 of 2 - pages 422-425)
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